We have received grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:7
By faith we have access into this “gift of Christ” wherein we stand. Romans 5:2
This “gift of Christ,” in us, equals the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27 The life that we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God…Gal 2:20
Herein is our love made perfect, because as He is so are you in this world. 1 John 4:17
Paul said this in Colossians 3:4 “Christ, who is our life.” And again, “for me to live is Christ, to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
Is Christ the source of everything we do in life? As a born again believer, yes. We are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Friends, we want to think in these terms, “without Him we can do nothing.” John 15:1 we “abide” in Him — fruit follows.
We are in Christ, were baptized into Him 1Corinthians 12:12-13 As many as were baptized into Christ were baptized into His death. We are members of His body, flesh and bones. Ephesians 5:30
Wow! We carry the savor of His knowledge — in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14 What is this savor? Oh, we carry the savor of death. None other than the sweet smelling savor of the burnt offering of Leviticus 1:9. We participate in this offering, whole burnt, the smoke thereof rising up into the heavens, symbolizing the death of Our Savior, vicariously atoning for our sins.
Vicariousness implies substitution. A vicar is a person deputized to perform the function of another. In the case under consideration, the particular function to be performed is that of atoning for sin by suffering. Man, the transgressor, is the party who owes the atonement and who ought to discharge the office of an atoner; but Jesus Christ is the party who actually discharges the office and makes the atonement in his stead. The idea of vicariousness or substitution is, therefore, vital to a correct theory of Christ’s priestly office. Man the transgressor would make his own atonement, if he should suffer the penalty affixed to transgression. So far as the penalty is concerned, retributive justice would be satisfied if the whole human race were punished forever.42 And if God had no attribute but retributive justice, this would have been the course that he would have taken. W.G.T. Shedd https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/vicarious.html
So, by virtue of His being our substitute in dying,
We are always bearing about, in our body, the “whole atoning work of death” of Christ. — that the life of Christ might be manifested.
And — At the same time, we which are living, “are continuously being delivered unto death. In order that the life of Christ Might be manifested in our body. 2Corinthians 4:17-18
So,
“To the one (person) we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life.” 2 Corinthians 2:16
“I die daily,” so says Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:31
What does it mean? Well, we continually adjust to the precious cross, worked deeply in our lives. In the power of the cross, all that indeed was crucified when Christ died gets neglected and that which lives gets affirmed.
The trials of our faith, (as we are delivered to death), put us on a path to discover the impotence of crucified flesh, sin, desires, bad emotions, bad conscience, natural mind, rationale, self-examination, etc.etc.
We eventually, in the plan of God, which experientially exposes our flesh in order to crucify our flesh, discern between soul and spirit.
Hebrews 4:12 describes God’s Word — alive, energized, razor sharp. Piercing to the dividing of soul and spirit. Joints and marrow. It criticizes the thoughts and intents of the heart.
In closing, is there pain involved? The pain comes when we fight against God, His perfect plan — His spiritual surgery, He is conforming us to the image of Christ. Our surrender keys the transformation.
Take heart, He promises to subdue our iniquities, His will never quit on us, till the day of Christ. Love ya
